Remember when Gannett was big on diversity?

For decades, Gannett has been an industry leader in hiring more minorities, and showcasing diversity in its editorial content. Indeed, in the company's Annual Report to shareholders this year, Corporate wrote:

"A key initiative for the company is its leadership and diversity program that focuses on finding, developing and retaining the best and the brightest employees, as well as a diverse workforce that reflects the fabric of the communities Gannett serves."

But now more than ever, that role is threatened with the very recent departures of several high-profile editors -- plus the loss of the lone black member of the company's board of directors, leaving that powerful governing group looking whiter than ever.

Stovall

In Binghamton, N.Y., several readers tell me Executive Editor Calvin Stovall was among those exiting in a round of job cuts this week. (I've asked Stovall for a comment.) That followed the news African-American top editors in Shreveport, La., and Louisville, Ky., had also left their jobs. And their exits were preceded by that of the African-American editor in Montgomery, Ala., in January.

[Updated Sept. 19. In Binghamton, Neill Borowski replaced Stovall.]

In an e-mail yesterday, a reader told me: "It's become increasingly clear that Gannett's once-cherished values (namely diversity) have taken a back seat to the bottom line. That's fine, but let's hope these layoffs are met with a proportional dial down of Gannett's touting of its values."

Anything less would be hypocritical from a company where the 12 most senior executives look just as white as the board of directors.

By the numbers | What's up, Des Moines?

It's been a busy week in the land of Gannett newspaper publishers: Corporate announced new hires in Montgomery, Ala., and St. Cloud, Minn. And it created a vacancy for the publisher's job overseeing papers in Lafayette and Opelousas, La.

Hollingsworth

But 2½ months after Laura Hollingsworth was promoted to a newly expanded position at The Tennessean in Nashville, the top job at The Des Moines Register remains unfilled. That's odd, given the Iowa daily's high profile. There ought to be many publishers at smaller GCI papers clawing their way toward Des Moines.

Some key numbers:

2

days since the publisher's job was vacated at The Daily Advertiser in Lafayette and the Daily World in Opelousas

73

days taken to hire a new publisher at St. Cloud Times

77

days since Des Moines publisher's job was vacated


100 69
days taken to hire a new publisher at the Montgomery Advertiser

Montgomery | Martin is out; LaFuria is interim pub

Martin

Sam Martin had been publisher of The Montgomery Advertiser for three years, coming to the Alabama daily from The Boston Globe. Replacing him on an interim basis: Scott LaFuria, controller for the Advertiser and the Tallahassee Democrat, the paper said today in announcing Martin's departure.

It's worth noting that Martin was among a relative handful of minority publishers. And his exit follows that of another senior minority executive: Wanda Lloyd, who was the Advertiser's executive editor before retiring early this year.

Earlier: A less-diverse Gannett board of directors with Harper's retirement.

Rochester | Frank Gannett's building to market

[Corporate's original headquarters was here in Rochester, N.Y.]

Company founder Frank E. Gannett built the structure in 1927-28 to house his corporate offices, printing presses and newsroom for the now-defunct Rochester Times-Union. After additions to the building, the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle joined the paper there in 1959.

Gannett

The newspapers kept separate newsrooms until the staffs merged in 1992. Five years later, the paper opened a new production plant in nearby Greece. Corporate moved its headquarters to suburban Washington in 1986, later relocating it to McLean, Va., in 2001.

Today, the Democrat and Chronicle told readers that the property is now for sale, becoming the latest GCI property to look for new, more modern quarters nearby that will reflect a smaller staff size. In October, Alabama's Montgomery Advertiser and Vermont's Burlington Free Press made similar announcements.

Rochester's move is expected to be completed by the middle of next year, according to the paper.

To be sure, GCI isn't alone: Other newspaper publishers across the nation are freeing up excess property as markets recover from the real estate bust.

Montgomery | Top editor Lloyd is moving on

"My life-long goal was to be executive editor of a daily newspaper and I feel blessed to have reached that goal in Montgomery."

-- Wanda Lloyd, in a just-posted story about her plans to retire early next year after eight years as the top editor at Alabama's Montgomery Advertiser. The story indicated a search was underway for her successor.

The paper's Monday-Saturday circulation is 29,532, and Sunday is 38,671, according to the Sept. 30 ABC report.

Montgomery | In new model, it's getting deep here

Sam Martin, the publisher of The Montgomery Advertiser, has managed to announce a substantial hike in print subscription prices without ever actually using the words "price," "increase," "cost" or "higher." Indeed, he never even uses a $ sign. And he certainly doesn't mention that word banished by Corporate.

Martin

Instead, in a 646-word column published yesterday, Martin tells readers that in two weeks, the daily will introduce "a new subscription model . . . that will include full access to all of our content in print, on the desktop Web, mobile and tablet formats."

Of course, we know what Martin isn't telling readers: The Alabama state capital's newspaper is becoming the latest Gannett daily to erect a paywall that's brought average 25% subscription price hikes across the U.S. community newspapers.

Martin, who's been publisher since May 2010, isn't the first company executive to try slipping one past his readers; we've seen other recent examples in Louisville, Ky. and Phoenix.

No doubt, publishers must start charging for digital content previously given away free in order to keep newspapers in business. This is true at papers of all sizes, including the Advertiser, where weekday circulation is 29,532 and Sunday is 38,671.

But it's disingenuous at best to introduce a double-digit price increase without being upfront about the financial hit customers will take. And it's all the worse when promising, as Martin does, "significant improvement" to content that may or may not be real.

More, or less?
Martin says readers will get "deeper content in select areas of coverage, including more watchdog journalism." There will be "deeper coverage of what we are now calling 'The New Montgomery,'" and the paper will "delve deeper" into education, job creation, state and local government, plus sports.

But how?

Has the Advertiser replaced the editors, reporters and photographers lost to layoffs and attrition in recent years? Martin doesn't say. Without more details, it's hard to see how all these content improvements will actually take place.

In other words, it's getting deep in here.

Ala., Vt. are latest to plan real estate sales

Newspapers in Vermont and Alabama have announced plans to downsize, as Gannett continues shrinking its physical plants to reflect smaller workforces. Details:

• The Montgomery Advertiser has hired a broker to sell its downtown building; the production plant isn't part of the deal, however.
• The Burlington Free Press plans to sell seven of 12 buildings it owns downtown, but plans to remain as a tenant. They total about 55,700 square feet, but the paper’s newsroom and business operations now require only about 10,000 square feet.

In June, CEO Gracia Martore told Wall Street analysts that GCI had more than $100 million in real estate on the market, including one property for more than $20 million. She didn't identify that property, however, but it may have been buildings housing The Des Moines Register.

Montgomery | New update on badly injured press operator: 'They've grafted more skin onto his hand'

After a Gannett Blogger reported the Montgomery Advertiser press operator was seriously injured Friday night while racing to meet a deadline, I asked a reliable source for an update. Here's what they told me in an e-mail early this morning:

"Pressman pinched palm of his hand between steel plate cylinder and a rubber roller. Press was 'walking,' and he put his hand where we all know not to -- but sometimes do, to hurry up. All of us know that we have a deadline. Hospital grafted torn palm back on; recovery expected."

[Updated.] Another reader, writing about 9 p.m. ET, added the following (warning to the squeamish; this is graphic): The accident "peeled the flesh off of his hand -- but luckily didn't damage any bone. They've grafted more skin onto his hand and if it doesn't take, they'll have to do it again. Don't know if he'll ever be able to use that hand again or not at this point."

Hubs | How Montgomery got Pensacola's comics

In a column today, Executive Editor Wanda Lloyd explains how The Montgomery Advertiser's readers found themselves staring at a page full of unfamiliar comics on Monday:

It took me about an hour to backtrack and realize that our new process with designers in Nashville, Tenn., and copy editors in Montgomery somehow left a window for an error that led to a page of comics intended for another newspaper — the News-Journal in Pensacola — instead of our normal page.

Montgomery | Newsroom layoffs reported today; cuts would eliminate 9% of an already small staff

[Updated at 7:36 p.m. ET with new information from source.] In an e-mail, a reader says the three two layoffs and one resignation at Alabama's Montgomery Advertiser included a photographer, a news reporter and an administrative assistant.

"It appears to be over,'' the reader said two hours ago, "but it's hard to tell. Usually we'll have a quick little staff meeting after layoffs, but that has not happened yet."

For context, the newsroom staff list shows only 34 people, including just four photographer/videographers. And these totals appear to be before today's layoffs. Bottom line: these cuts would eliminate nearly 9% of the newsroom jobs.

The Advertiser is the state capital's daily. Its Monday-Saturday circulation is 31,495. Sunday is 43,087.

Earlier: In Detroit, abrupt furloughs -- and cuts elsewhere.

Montgomery | Wage freeze announced, tip says

Lloyd

Alabama's Montgomery Advertiser last week disclosed a wage freeze to staffers including those in Executive Editor Wanda Lloyd's newsroom, according to one of my readers: "Wanda told managers to relay the news only directly and in person; no emails. She didn't want that information in 'print.'"

The freeze comes a month after Gannett disclosed huge pay raises for top executives, including CEO Craig Dubow, whose 2010 pay doubled to $9.4 million. What's more, the paper's austerity step comes even as Montgomery's economy hums with the success of Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia, which have factories in the area, according to The New York Times.

"Hyundai is running its Montgomery plant, which employs 2,650, around the clock on weekdays and occasional Saturdays to keep up with demand," the NYT reported in February. "Last summer, it moved production of its Santa Fe sport utility vehicle 95 miles northeast to the Kia plant to free capacity in Montgomery. Kia recently hired 600 additional workers to operate a second shift for the Santa Fe and plans a third, with 1,000 more jobs."

Earlier: Advertiser unveils new design in print.

Heard about a wage freeze at your site? Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write jimhopkins[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the rail, upper right.

Montgomery | Advertiser latest to unveil new look

Alabama's Montgomery Advertiser today joined most of the other 79 U.S. community newspapers in a redesign that includes a uniform typeface across all dailies as part of the five production hubs now under development. Executive Editor Wanda Lloyd previewed the change in a column for readers on Sunday.

The Advertiser's circulation: Monday to Saturday, 33,189; Sunday, 42,870, according to ABC figures at Sept. 30.

Earlier: Say hello to your new, uniform typeface.

Got a Gannett front page to recommend? Find it in the Newseum's page one database, then post a link in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write jimhopkins[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the rail, upper right.

[Image: Newseum]

For ASNE, praising apple pie and golf outings

Former USA Today Editor Ken Paulson came out swinging in defense of journalism's version of mother and apple pie in his prepared remarks yesterday to the American Society of News Editors, after he was elected the professional association's 82nd president.

Paulson

Opposing government's "increasingly zealous" efforts to punish those who leak information to the press? Check.

Educating the public about the importance of a free press? Check.

And, of course, the First Amendment. Check.

But the closest Paulson came to directly criticizing corporate strip mining of journalism was hardly close at all. "We need to . . . remind ourselves from time to time that our role and our responsibilities were handed to us by the American people in 1791,'' he said. "In that year of the First Amendment’s birth, newspapers were generally not published to make a buck."

Enter, Gannett.

No. 1 in stealth layoffs
Paulson's former employer for many years is almost certainly still the nation's single-biggest newspaper employer of journalists. And it continues leading the industry in assaulting newspaper newsrooms: the nearly 100 it runs in the U.S., Guam and the United Kingdom -- while simultaneously rewarding top executives for those cuts. Mass layoffs that were once publicly announced have been replaced by an ongoing series of undisclosed smaller cuts, but with the same long-term harm.

For example, only last week, according to one of my readers, Alabama's Montgomery Advertiser laid off a graphic artist and a photo editor. This is a state capital newspaper (circulation 33,189) that lists just 36 newsroom employees, a total that may not even reflect those two layoffs.

Dubow

$35M in paychecks
GCI does not disclose the number of newspaper newsroom staff it employs worldwide. The only figure I've seen was about 5,000, and that was more than 10 years ago. Since then, from a peak of 53,400, the company has eliminated 20,800 jobs -- and 20,000 of those were jettisoned after Craig Dubow became CEO in 2005. Assuming those cuts were proportionally equal across departments, Dubow has whacked as many as 2,000 newsroom positions. Imagine the tragic impact that's had on the communities served by those newspapers.

Meanwhile, since he became CEO, his fellow members on the board of directors have paid him $35.4 million in cash and stock. That includes $8.8 million alone in mostly cash bonuses, company documents show.

Sun-spashed fun vs. reality
ASNE's four-day annual meeting was held in San Diego, Calif., where attendees were lucky if they paid only $249 a night at the conference hotel. At the conclusion of the event yesterday, the group invited attendees to a $195-per-person golf game:

"Here’s one way to get a little splash of California sun after the joint meetings of the American Society of News Editors and the Inter American Press Association: 18 holes of golf on the legendary Torrey Pines Golf Course!"

Paulson has run Freedom Forum's First Amendment Center in Nashville, Tenn., since a management shake-up cost him a job that paid more than $443,000 in 2009. Three days ago, a Gannett Blogger spoke far more forcefully than ASNE's new president about the cost of the industry's job cuts.

"In our mid-size, mid-America town," they wrote, "the power brokers and string pullers are operating without fear, no longer even bothering to hide out in back rooms, because they know the newspaper isn't watching out for the public interest and/or doesn't have the gumption to report facts that will upset the chamber of commerce and major advertisers. That's the truly shameful aspect of what Gannett and others have done to our communities and ultimately to our country."

Earlier: In other golf news, Dickey shares your financial hardship.

Des Moines | Register among first to brand itself

The Des Moines Register was among at least two newspapers this morning to brand themselves prominently as "A Gannett Company," following the new guidelines announced Friday. The other was the Montgomery Advertiser.

The change is part of Corporate's new brand campaign, which officially launches tomorrow. GCI businesses are to label themselves prominently as Gannett-owned. Newspapers, for example, are to include the "Gannett Company'' phrase near their flag.

Here's the top of today's Register, with the new text (circled) on the far right . . .

. . . compare that to Friday's edition; click on either image for a bigger view:

I don't have last Sunday's edition, so can't see how designers accommodated the new text. However, Friday's paper included a line saying, "On the web and your mobile at desmoinesregister.com." In today's, it says only: "desmoinesregister.com."

Related: the Newseum's database of Gannett front pages

How will your newspaper accommodate the new text? Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write jimhopkins[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the rail, upper right.

[Images: Newseum]

GCI has now shifted 17 newspaper CEOs this year

Hurst

This morning's promotion of Leslie Hurst to publisher of The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Miss., is at least the 17th 14th13th turnover of a top Gannett newspaper executive this year.

This unusual turnover -- half of it, in the past month -- is among GCI's 81 U.S. community publishing newspapers, and the Tucson, Ariz., newspaper partnership. It follows recent Gannett Blog speculation that the division was due for a big reorganization. The list so far:

1. Today. Hurst is replacing retiring Larry Whitaker. Her successor at The Daily Advertiser in Lafayette, La., hasn't been announced.
2. Yesterday. Gabe Aguiree named general manager of the Iowa City Press-Citizen, replacing Dan Brown, whose departure wasn't explained.
3. Dec. 10. Kim Wilson leaves Fort Collins Coloradoan; her departure isn't explained, and a replacement hasn't been announced.
4. Dec. 6. Scott Johnson to publisher of the St. Cloud Times in Minnesota. He replaces Bill Albrecht, who was earlier named president of the Media Network of Central Ohio.
5. Nov. 30. Charlie Nutt retires as publisher of The Daily Journal in Vineland, N.J. Advertising Director Joseph Calchi also assumes title of general manager.
6. Michael Beck to general manager of Wisconsin's Stevens Point Journal; he replaced Mark Baldwin, whose departure wasn't explained.
7. Nov. 18. Howard Griffin named publisher of The News Journal in Wilmington, Del., replacing retiring Curtis Riddle.
8. Nov. 15. Mike Jameson leaves as CEO Tucson Newspapers, the joint operating agency co-owned by Gannett and Lee Enterprises; it publishes Lee's Arizona Daily Star. Jameson's replacement hasn't been announced.
9. Oct. 20. Andrew Oppmann leaves as publisher of The Leaf-Chronicle for a university job; his permanent replacement hasn't been announced.
10. Oct. 12. Lee Webber officially retires as publisher of The Honolulu Advertiser after its sale to a cross-town rival.
11. Sept. 28. Linda Greiwe to publisher of the Springfield News-Leader in Missouri, replacing retiring Thomas Bookstaver.
12. Sept. 13. Mark Winkler to publisher of The Desert Sun in Palm Springs, Calif., replacing Richard Ramhoff, whose departure was not explained.
13. Sep. 13. James Fogler to publisher of the Burlington Free Press, replacing Brad Robertson, who was promoted to president of the new GannettLocal.
14. May 25. Samuel Martin to publisher of the Montgomery Advertiser in Alabama. He replaces Cheryl Lindus.
15. May 25. Lindus to general manager of The Muncie Star in Indiana. She replaces Gene Williams, named executive editor of the Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, N.J.
16. April 7. Paul Grzella to general manager of New Jersey's Courier News in Bridgewater and the Home News Tribune in East Brunswick; he replaced Skip Hidlay, who left to become publisher of the Wichita Eagle in Kansas. 
17. March 25. Mei-Mei Chan to publisher of The News-Press in Fort Myers, Fla., replacing Carol Hudler, who was promoted to publisher of The Tennessean at Nashville in November 2009.

Have I missed anyone? Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write jimhopkins[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the rail, upper right.

St. Cloud | Wisconsin ad exec named new publisher

Corporate just announced that the regional advertising director of Gannett Wisconsin Media in Green Bay, Scott Johnson, has been named publisher of the St. Cloud Times in Minnesota. Johnson succeeds Bill Albrecht, who earlier was named president of the Media Network of Central Ohio and president and publisher of The Advocate in Newark, Ohio.

Johnson's is the ninth appointment of a publisher this year alone among GCI's 81 U.S. community dailies. The news came today in a written statement that included a quote attributed to U.S. newspaper division President Bob Dickey. Fashioned and refashioned by publicists, quotes such as these risk sounding like commodities, rendering them less meaningful.

Quotidian quotations
Following are some of Dickey's quotes this year, with identifying names redacted. One of these is about Johnson. I've linked to the original statements.

"_____ is an innovator in finding solutions for customers and delivering the right audiences for advertisers across all platforms. _____ brings an impressive background in market development strategy and sales."

"_____ is an experienced advertising executive with a solid track record of building sales and competitive market share. _____ will be an important member of our team as Gannett continues to expand the ways we provide business clients with customized solutions and engage consumers."

"Through _____'s leadership, the _____ launched innovative products to increase readership and market share while also producing products and services that meet the needs of the community."

"_____ brings a diverse and fresh perspective that will help us continue to expand the many ways we meet the changing needs of our communities and customers, both consumers and advertisers."

" _____ has had a long, successful career with Gannett and brings important sales and marketing skills to this position. _____'s breadth of experience and leadership abilities will serve _____ and _____."

" _____ is bringing diverse experience and valued leadership to our _____ market and will build on the solid foundation _____ helped establish in this important market."

" _____ has intense drive, a collaborative spirit and a strong track record of providing innovative service to consumers and advertisers."

Got a favorite press release? Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write jimhopkins[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the rail, upper right.

Palm Springs | GCI reaches outside for new pub

Corporate has named a former MediaNews Group marketing and sales executive, Mark Winkler, as the new publisher of The Desert Sun in southern California's Palm Springs. He starts Sept. 27, and replaces Rich Ramhoff, whose departure was announced less than two weeks ago, after the paper reportedly missed advertising revenue targets.

In addition to running the Sun, Winkler will be a vice president in Gannett's regional West Group of newspapers, overseeing dailies in California's Visalia, Tulare, and Salinas, plus the U.S. territory of Guam.

Winkler, 50, was executive vice president, chief sales officer, and chief marketing officer for Denver-based MediaNews until March, when he left the company in a cost-saving shake-up after that newspaper publisher exited bankruptcy court, according to Westword.

MediaNews and Gannett are partners in the Detroit newspaper publishing business, as well as in a publishing partnership in California, Texas, New Mexico and Pennsylvania.

He is the second publisher Gannett has hired from outside the company this year; in late May, a former Boston Globe advertising executive was named chief executive of The Montgomery Advertiser.

Prior to MediaNews, Winkler was chief operating officer for Capital Securities Real Estate, a global real estate investments fund, according to a Gannett statement. From 2000-2006, he was a division vice president/general manager for Comcast Communications and from 2004-2006 had oversight of corporate interactive and new sales technologies for Comcast. From 1997-2000, he was a western region vice president for Media One of Los Angeles, Calif.

Winkler is a cum laude graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, the statement says.

His LinkedIn profile
How Winkler summarizes his background on the job network website:

Visionary leader that guides expeditious results and imparts a proven track record in the media industry, with profound proficiency in management, including sales, marketing, operations, and financial administration and oversight. Recognized for driving over $1 billion in annual revenue for traditional and innovative advertising media such as national, regional, and local spot cable and broadcast, digital media (content driven portals, E-commerce sites, SEM and SEO solutions), addressable advertising, digital publishing, print, niche publications, mobile, and e-mail marketing. Vast product and people knowledge and results orientation in revenue goal achievement, maximizing capital, and establishing efficient process for multiple product sales, both B2B and B2C. Significant understanding of the sales and marketing process as it relates a variety of vertical markets and a diverse client base. Demonstrated talent building consensus, fostering a passion for excellence, and igniting a competitive will in others that anything is possible. Energized by opportunities to help teams crystallize visions and propel business initiatives to exceed goals. Recognized as a positive change agent, with the ability to overcome all barriers and obstacles to successful and enhanced outcomes.

Related: the Sun's story about Winkler's appointment

How GCI uses salaried workers to limit OT costs; fired sports editor's lawsuit illustrates technique

One way Gannett limits overtime pay expenses is by shifting work to salaried managers -- who don't get OT -- from hourly workers, who ordinarily do receive it. Indeed, a frequent complaint among Gannett Blog readers: Gannett promotes hourly workers to such exempt-from-OT positions, with little change in responsibilities, so the company can get more work from them, without increasing payroll costs.

"The people I feel sorry for,'' Anonymous@11:03 a.m. wrote today, "are the so-called 'exempt' employees who put in a ton more time than they get compensated for."

A federal court lawsuit against a Gannett newspaper in Alabama illustrates this issue. Former Sports Editor David "L.C." Johnson sued The Montgomery Advertiser last October, complaining he was fired for warning Executive Editor Wanda Lloyd that his reporters weren't being paid OT they had earned -- a violation of federal law.

Gannett denies the allegations, and says Johnson was fired for poor performance.

Editor claims 80-hour weeks
Johnson claims he sometimes worked as many as 80 hours a week after his department lost at least two assistant sports editor positions when the newsroom was restructured in 2007. This came with the adoption of the Local Information Center business model.

In her 119-page sworn deposition, Lloyd was questioned on this point by Johnson's attorney, Heather Leonard of Birmingham, Ala. Following is a key passage from Page 59:

Leonard: The sports editor is salaried, correct?

Lloyd: Yes.

Q: So sometimes the sports editor can do a lot of the work that a reporter would do in order to manage time and hours?

A: Yes.

Q: Is it possible that some of the time that Mr. Johnson was working he was actually doing jobs of reporters to help manage that 40 hours?

A: He was doing his job if he was doing that.

Q: But he might be doing duties that could have been assigned to a reporter?

A: That's possible.

Exempt from overtime pay? Please post your experiences in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write jimhopkins[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the rail, upper right.

Recommended weekend reading for Dubow & Co.

"I loved reporting; I hated the law breaking.''

-- Hilary Funk, a reporter for Alabama's Montgomery Advertiser from August 2007 until she was laid off in December 2008.

Funk was speaking about signing timecards saying she had worked 40 hours a week, when she actually worked more. Funk underreported her hours because a newsroom culture discouraged putting in for overtime, she says, in some cases because employees feared losing their jobs.

Her remarks appear in a sworn deposition she gave in a federal court lawsuit filed against the paper last October by a former sports editor, David "L.C." Johnson, who claims he was fired after complaining that Advertiser employees weren't getting paid OT.

Gannett denies Johnson's allegations, and says he was fired for poor performance.

Funk's deposition numbers 64 pages, but is well worth reading -- every single word. She paints a vivid and often sympathetic portrait of employees and local management, squeezed by Corporate's shifting demands during the upheaval that followed Gannett's reorganization of newsrooms and advertising sales departments in 2007.

Funk learned about Johnson's lawsuit on Gannett Blog, then e-mailed his attorney to describe her own experience at the Advertiser.

"I feel for all the people at that paper," she wrote, "whenever I remember the hours, the lack of compensation, and the constantly changing Corporate line that upper management would be expected to fulfill in days, even if it were a 180-degree turn in direction."

Reading guide
A deposition is a type of sworn testimony, given by potential witnesses to attorneys gathering information outside of court.

In Funk's 64-page deposition, she references several other Advertiser employees. Two of the most important ones to keep in mind are Executive Editor Wanda Lloyd, and former Managing Editor Mel Gray.

Funk is initially questioned by Johnson's attorney, Heather Leonard of Birmingham, Ala. Then, starting on the very bottom of Page 19, Gannett's attorney -- Lynlee Palmer, also of Birmingham -- takes her turn. It goes back and forth from there.

[Image: today's paper, Newseum]

Documents: Pub revealed paper's finances to staff; deposition hints at why Montgomery's Brown quit

When Scott Brown resigned as publisher of The Montgomery Advertiser in the summer of 2008, Gannett gave no details explaining his sudden departure.

Now, newly emerged court documents hint at one possible explanation. They open a rare window on the internal operations of a Gannett daily on the verge of joining scores of others in laying off thousands of workers, while Corporate pleaded hard times during the industry's meltdown.

One document is a sworn deposition by former Sports Editor David "L.C." Johnson, who is suing the small Alabama paper in federal court over his dismissal in November 2009. Johnson claims he was fired after complaining to management that his staff wasn't being paid overtime, in violation of federal law.

Gannett denies Johnson's allegations, and says he was fired for poor performance.

Profit margin said 28.8%
Under questioning by an attorney for Gannett, Lynlee Palmer of Birmingham, Ala., Johnson claims Brown had taken a highly unusual step not long before he was forced from his job.

Brown called the Advertiser's staff together for an all-hands meeting, then revealed what ordinarily would be confidential information, Johnson says: more than a dozen pages of company documents disclosing the Advertiser's profit margin -- the amount of money it earned as a percentage of its revenue. That figure was 28.8%, or $11.8 million, Johnson told Palmer.

Those figures align with information I received in separate internal documents from a reader in November 2008.

'More belt tightening'
Brown's presentation painted a gloomy outlook, the deposition shows, and was apparently designed to prepare the staff for rough times ahead: "Basically, we're going to have to do more belt tightening,'' Johnson testified. This was when supplies as basic as notebooks were already scarce, he said.

Johnson initially claims the meeting occured perhaps in 2007, but later says it came just as Brown was shown the door. That was about June 12, 2008, when Gannett announced a new publisher in a press release saying only that Brown had resigned. Two months later, Gannett launched the first of three mass layoffs nationwide.

Johnson brought his suit in U.S. District Court in October 2009. I recently obtained hundreds of pages of case depositions and related documents, some of them filed about six weeks ago. (Here's a deposition explainer.)

Publisher: 'I resigned'
Brown also gave a deposition in the Johnson suit. He said he could not reveal details surrounding his departure because they were part of a confidential agreement with Gannett that prevented him from speaking publicly, his deposition shows.

"The company and I came to a mutual agreement, and I resigned,'' he told Johnson's attorney, Heather Leonard, also of Birmingham.

Although Brown doesn't provide a reason, Johnson's assertion about the release of sensitive financial documents -- if true -- would likely anger Corporate, once that became known.

Gannett laid off 600 newspaper employees, and cut 400 other jobs, in August 2008. That was followed by another layoff of more than 2,200 in December 2008, the month after Johnson was dismissed. A third layoff, involving more than 1,400 workers, took place in July 2009.

Please post your replies in the comments section, below. To e-mail confidentially, write jimhopkins[at]gmail[dot-com]; see Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the rail, upper right.

[Image: today's Advertiser, Newseum]